Should a preterm breech go for vaginal delivery or caesarean section

This study correlates the mode of breech delivery to the immediate neonatal outcome in preterm breeches. We had 9816 deliveries in the period between 1st January 1994 to 31st August 1996. The incidence of breech deliveries was 3.95% and the incidence of preterm breech deliveries was 1.9%. Totally 112 (69%) patients delivered vaginally and 50 (31%) underwent caesarean section. Between 30-36.6 weeks gestation the incidence of birth asphyxia was higher in the vaginal group. In this group the take home baby rate after vaginal delivery was 81% as compared to 86% in caesarean group. Head entrapment, cord prolapse, respiratory distress syndrome and intraventricular haemorrhage were the various complications seen with vaginal breech delivery.     

Decision support for women choosing mode of delivery after a previous caesarean section: a developmental study

OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of a decision support intervention designed for women choosing mode of delivery after one previous caesarean section. METHODS: A decision support intervention was developed comprising of an informational DVD/video and a home visit by a midwife. 16 women received standard clinical care and 16 women additionally received the intervention. Pilot questionnaire data was collected at 12, 28 and 37 weeks gestation from all participants. 18 of the 32 participants also participated in semi-structured interviews after they had decided mode of delivery at 37 weeks gestation. RESULTS: Four themes were identified in the qualitative data relating to decision-making: informational support, emotional support, participation and involvement in decision-making, and the way in which decision support was used. CONCLUSION: The difficulties experienced by women in this decision-making scenario were confirmed. The intervention was welcomed by the participants and both qualitative and quantitative findings suggest the intervention improved decision-making experiences. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: This intervention offers an accessible method of decision support which effectively targets the needs of women choosing mode of delivery after a previous caesarean delivery. Using easily reproducible informational materials, and the pre-existing skills of midwives, it would be relatively straightforward to introduce this intervention into current clinical practice.     

Regional block versus general anaesthesia for caesarean section and neonatal outcomes: a population-based study

Background  

Anaesthesia guidelines recommend regional anaesthesia for most caesarean sections due to the risk of failed intubation and aspiration with general anaesthesia. However, general anaesthesia is considered to be safe for the foetus, based on limited evidence, and is still used for caesarean sections.     

Endometriosis in caesarean section scars

We report two cases of endometriosis in caesarean section scars. This is a condition, which, in our experience, follows approximately one caesarean section in every thousand. With increasing rates of caesarean section this potentially troublesome condition may be seen more frequently, and we propose a modification in practise to reduce its incidence.     

Audit of thromboprophylaxis following caesarean section

Venous thromboembolism is the most common cause of death in pregnant women and delivery by caesarean section increases the risk of developing venous thromboembolism. In 1995 the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) issued guidelines for thromboprophylaxis following caesarean section. We have performed an audit of compliance with these guidelines in our unit. Of 240 women who were delivered by caesarean section over a six month period, 62.9% and 20.4% fell into moderate and high risk groups for venous thromboembolism according to RCOG guidelines. Overall, 34 (17%) of 200 eligible women received thromboprophylaxis. Women undergoing an emergency caesarean section were just over twice aslikely to have had no thromboprophylaxis compared with those undergoing an elective caesarean section (OR 2.6 (95% CI 1.2 - 5.9).     

Thromboprophylaxis for women undergoing caesarean section

Thromboprophylaxis for women undergoing caesarean section (CS) was introduced in the hospital in 1995. This study audited the use of tinzaparin prophylaxis in a nested cohort of women who screened negative for diabetes mellitus at 28 weeks gestation. All the women had their weight measured and BMI calculated at the first antenatal visit. Of the 284 women, 68 (24%) had a CS and all received tinzaparin. Of the 68, however, 94% received a dose lower than recommended. Compliance with prophylaxis was complete but compliance with the recommended dosage was suboptimal, which may result in venous thromboembolism after CS despite thromboprophylaxis.     

剖宫产与阴式分娩的正常足月新生儿评分的比较分析

正常足月新生儿Apgar评分是目前广泛应用于临床的一种正常足月新生儿评分方式,是根据新生儿分娩的症状进行评分,一般在胎儿娩出后1 min和5 min各评分1次[1]。剖宫产与阴式分娩的利弊一直是新生儿分娩讨论的热点。剖宫产分娩的新生儿与阴式分娩的正常足月新生儿在Apgar评分是否存在差异,     

剖宫产术后早期子宫瘢痕部位妊娠11例临床分析

目的探讨剖宫产术后子宫瘢痕部位妊娠（CSP）早期诊断及治疗方法。方法对2002年至2008年我院收治的11例剖宫产瘢痕部位妊娠患者资料进行回顾分析。结果11例病例临床表现缺乏特异性,4例误诊为宫内早孕;1例误诊为滋养细胞疾病而给以化疗。阴道大出血4例给予子宫动脉栓塞后行清宫术;氨甲喋呤联合米非司酮治疗6例,4例成功,2例失败后行开腹局部病灶切除术。所有患者均痊愈出院,随诊HCG值至正常。结论超声检查是诊断CSP的简单可靠方法;子宫动脉栓塞可以迅速止血,栓塞后联合药物或手术治疗是安全有效的治疗方法,刮宫术前需用氨甲蝶呤联合米非司酮进行有效地杀胚治疗。     

162例经阴道分娩产后出血的临床分析

目的探讨经阴道分娩产后出血的原因、相关因素及防治措施。方法将产后出血产妇162例作为出血组,选择同期非产后出血经阴道分娩的产妇156例作为对照组,观察产妇一般情况、妊娠合并症及并发症、产后出血的危险因素、产程、心理因素等,采用容积法和称重法测量产后出血量,运用PEMS统计软件对资料进行回顾性病例对照分析。结果引起产后出血常见原因有产后宫缩乏力、胎盘因素、软产道损伤,产后出血的高危因素主要是贫血、前置胎盘和多胎。结论产后出血与多种因素相关,重视孕前保健,积极处理第3产程,发生产后出血应针对病因进行处理。     

Risk factors for postpartum hemorrhage after vaginal delivery of twins.

We examined vaginal deliveries of twins to identify factors most strongly associated with the increased risk of postpartum hemorrhage (estimated blood loss > or = 1,000 mL). We reviewed the obstetric records of all 171 twin vaginal deliveries at Japanese Red Cross Katsushika Maternity Hospital from January 2002 through August 2006. Of these deliveries, 41 (24%) were complicated by postopartum hemorrhage. Postpartum hemorrhage was significantly more likely in cases with gestational age > or = 39 weeks (odds ratio [OR], 3.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.65-7.28), a combined birth weight of more than 5,500 g (OR, 2.53; 95% CI, 1.00-6.45), induction of labor (OR, 2.87; 95% CI, 1.38-5.98), oxytocin administration during labor (OR, 2.86; 95% CI, 1.27-6.48), or a duration of labor > or = 24 hours (OR, 2.55; 95% CI, 1.15-5.62). Postpartum hemorrhage is a frequent complication in twin pregnancies. Therefore, special attention should be given after birth to patients with induction of labor or intervened delivery especially at > or = 39 weeks gestation.     

Audit of thromboprophylaxis in women undergoing caesarean section

Thromboembolism is a major cause of maternal mortality. Pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of thromboembolic diseases, with an even greater risk in women undergoing caesarean section. Since the introduction of the RCOG guidelines in 1995 on thromboprophylaxis for women undergoing caesarean section, there has been a significant reduction in the number of women dying from pulmonary embolism in the UK. The aims of our study was to conduct an audit cycle to assess our compliance with RCOG guidelines for thromboprophylaxis in women undergoing caesarean section to introduce changes in practice based on the observations of this audit, and to re-audit our practice to assess the effect of the changes. A retrospective audit of 100 women undergoing caesarean section was done in the Rotunda Hospital in June 2001. Changes in practice were introduced based on the findings of this audit. Obstetricians were asked to complete a checklist pre-operatively and to assign the patients a risk category-low, moderate or high. Prophylaxis was prescribed based on this risk assessment. Following the introduction of this change in practice, we re-audited 100 women delivered by caesarean section in June 2002. In the first audit, risk assessment was as follows: 20 low, 75 moderate and 5 high. Twenty-one of 75 (28%) of moderate risk patients in the first audit received appropriate prophylaxis. In the re-audit, risk assessment was as follows: 33 low, 66 moderate and 1 high. Following the introduction of new clinical practice, 45 of 66 (68%) of those in the moderate risk group received appropriate prophylaxis. All women in the low risk groups received appropriate prophylaxis in both audits. Our audit cycle of thromboprophylaxis in women undergoing caesarean section has demonstrated that the introduction of new clinical practice resulted in greater compliance with the RCOG guidelines, but further improvement could be achieved. These observations are discussed and recommendations are made to further improve compliance with RCOG guidelines.     

Preterm caesarean section in Nigerian obstetric practice.

A retrospective study of cases of preterm caesarean section was carried out at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital between January 1985 and December 1989. A total of 1973 caesarean sections were performed; 167 (8%) of these were preterm sections. Most of the patients were "booked" (133 cases, 80%) while 34 patients (20%) were "unbooked." The most common indications for preterm caesarean sections were preeclampsia, placenta previa, and premature rupture of membranes. The perinatal and maternal mortality were high: 257 per 1000 and 11 per 1000, respectively. Timely hospital admission, better intrapartum care, and vaginal delivery of very low birthweight babies are suggested to reduce the incidence of preterm caesarean section and its attendant complications in our hospital practice.